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Sam’s Choice: My Top Songs for 2013

Another year has come and almost gone and with it I have discovered more new music. And since I’m such a swell guy I’m going to share my favorites with you here. If you’re interested in my past lists you can take a look at 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009.

And just a qualifying note before I get started…while most of these songs came out in 2013, that isn’t necessarily my criteria since I make playlists according to seasons of the year and then cull my year-end list from them. So if a song catches my ear and I’ll always remember it for whatever season it was, then that’s where it goes. So without further ado, I present to you the songs I’ll remember 2013 by…

Teach Me To Know by The Lone Bellow

Look, I can’t say anything more about The Lone Bellow that I haven’t already said, but just trust me, if you aren’t listening to them you’re missing out, and if you haven’t seen them live, then you haven’t lived. Right, right, Zach is a friend of mine and I am likely the most biased observer of theirs ever, since I’ve been going to Zach’s shows for 10 years now, but these folks bring an energy and vigor to their music and stage that most bands would only dream about. To be in the audience when the show turns from concert to sing-along is remarkable and I’m just selfishly glad these guys are finally getting some national recognition because that means they’re touring more now and I get to see them play live more. Just buy their album already. Also, might be worth it to buy stock in guitar strings since Zach kills about 2 sets per show. Dude is intense!

Always Alright by Alabama Shakes

I first heard this song when my Wonderful Wife and I went to see the movie Silver Linings Playbook and I remember thinking “Hey, that sounds like Alabama Shakes but I have all their songs and I’ve never heard this.” Of course the song was released on the soundtrack to the movie and then about 2 weeks later Alabama Shakes played on SNL and laid down the above performance. As my Wonderful Wife and I watched she turned to me and said “Holy cow, when did they get so tight?” And she was right, these kids went from local band made good to legitimate stars with this phenomenal performance. It’s a toe-tapper of a jam and definitely one of the best songs of the year.

Most People by Dawes

Dawes was one of those bands that I always kinda liked and thought were good but never really paid too much attention to. And then they opened for the above Alabama Shakes at a show we went to this summer and I really enjoyed their set. Like a lot. Enough to re-evaluate my previous position on them and they are now one of my favorites. They’ve got a good laid back rock vibe while telling cool stories in their songs. This song is a perfect example of why I like them so much and why they made this list this year.

Miracle Mile by Cold War Kids

I’ve been a big fan of the Cold War Kids since their debut album so I was pretty excited about their new stuff coming out this year and this song definitely did not disappoint. It’s vintage Cold War Kids, catchy, fun, and edgy without being too much of any of those things. And I love that these guys have such a distinct sound that you can always know when a song is theirs, even if you don’t know it. The piano, the voice, the vibe; it all combines to make great music and that’s why I love it.

Time to Run by Lord Huron

Lord Huron was probably my favorite band discovery of 2013. My best mate James texted me one day and said “I’ve been listening to this band Lord Huron and I really think you’d like it”. Since he and I have similar taste in almost everything (seriously, music, movies, sports, sense of humor; all the same) I had a pretty good inkling I’d like them and I was right. Their entire album is fantastic and I actually spent a ton of time listening to them as I went on my runs this summer and fall. Their music has a sort of fast-paced dreaminess to it that seemed to make my running pace work well and so I just kept listening to them. And never tired of them either. Really good stuff. (Sidenote: My Wonderful Wife is way cooler than I am. After listening to Lord Huron for about a week I said to her “Hey, I really like this band Lord Huron. You should check them out.” I played her a song and she said “Oh yeah, these guys are great.” Pretty sure the lesson here is marry someone cooler than you and you’ll always have good music around.)

Down Below by Overseas

I really like Pedro the Lion so it is no surprise that another David Bazan project would end up on this list. But if you read the note about my Wonderful Wife above, then let me also say that she got me a gift subscription to Paste Magazine for our anniversary this year. It is a digital release that includes a sampler of music each week and one of the first weeks I got it, this song was on it. It drew me in and now here it is on this list. I’ve definitely gotten a good amount of great music this year from that subscription and if you’re looking for some good new tunes, I’d highly recommend you check it out. Have I mentioned my Wonderful Wife is cooler than I am? She is.

Birmingham by Shovels & Rope

Besides Paste Magazine, the other ways I discovered new music this year was the greatest local radio station ever, Birmingham Mountain Radio, a public radio station out of Minnesota that I discovered on a business trip, The Current, and NPR’s music show The World Cafe (quick tangent: One night I got in my car to run an errand and as I turned it on The Lone Bellow were being featured on The World Cafe and I heard Zach speaking and it was weird and awesome at the same time…). If I am driving in my car from 7-9pm there is a really good chance I’ll be listening to The World Cafe and likely hearing some new music and that is how I first heard Shovels & Rope. Their song Birmingham is not only named for the city in which I currently live, but is also a great modern folk song, so here it is as one of my favorites for this year.

The Ceiling by Wild Feathers

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a catchy song that breaks down into a rollicking jam that has 4 guys on guitars rocking out, jumping up and down, and standing on drum sets. It’s just a given. So yeah, when I heard this song I knew that it’d end up here because it encompasses so many of my favorite elements like a slow build, a frenetic peak, and a catch rift to hold everything together. I am nothing if not consistent. Enjoy.

Wake Me Up by Avicii

Speaking of catchy, this song takes the cake for this year. It falls into some nebulous category that I like to call Pop Rocks (not to be confused with Pop Rock) and I can’t really define it but to say that it contains some kind of an unexpected dance/synth break in it that is so dang catchy I just want to listen to it over and over again. It’s another toe-tapper head-bobber that I always am a sucker for and that’s why it ended up on this list for 2013.

Ride On/ Right On by Phosphorescent

This song is a funky jam that has an insanely catchy hook and any song that makes use of an organ is usually going to be something that I enjoy. I first remembering hearing this song in the background while working and as The Current continued to play it, I finally stopped and listened to it and realized that I really enjoyed it. Plus the whole Ride On/Right On thing strikes me as kind of a cool play on words, so there’s that too.

Heavy Bells by J. Roddy Walston & The Business

I have no idea what in the world is happening in this video, but this song is pretty awesome. It’s a hard-edged funky song that really rocks and is yet another product of The World Cafe. And there is something about the crazy hard chorus combined with the catchy hook from the verses that contrasts together to make a whole song that just kinda feels like a frenetic episode of something that just leaves you out of breath when you’re done. Might not be for you, but I love it.

Shake by The Head and The Heart

This is the first single off of their new album that came out this year and in my humble opinion it is the best. It showcases all of the things that have made this band take off into the national consciousness including a driving beat, a meandering piano rift, strong vocal harmonies, and general music making merriment. And handclaps. I’m always a sucker for handclaps. So anyway, these guys are good and their sophomore album is good stuff.

Wildfire by John Mayer

It has never been a talent issue with me and John Mayer. Dude has absurd guitar skills, there is no doubt about that. But I banished him to the No-Listen List for a few years after a few of his less-than-desirable interviews came out and he did a few things that I found kind of objectionable. But with his apparent transition to bohemian hippy and the movement of his music with him, I’m back. I really love this song (and to be honest I went back to his last album and really liked some of the songs there too) and just how light-hearted and fun it is. It’s just a good song and I’m glad he’s back to making good music and seems to be happy and free and not all moody and weird (though sometimes you go through those phases to come out the other side, so it’s cool John).

Tape Deck by Jack Johnson

This is my favorite track off of Jack’s stellar album that came out this fall. It just seems to capture the innocence and excitement of a high school garage band and having seen Jack play this song live in Nashville I could that he just really enjoyed it. In fact, getting to see him play at the historic Ryman Auditorium (the Grand Ole Opry used to be there) was an incredible night. He seemed so relaxed and into his songs and really seemed like he was having the time of his life playing with his band. He played a bunch of old stuff to go along with his new stuff and (The Lone Bellow notwithstanding) that show was one of the better shows I’d been to in a while. So if by some small chance you’ve not picked up this new album, you need to check it out.

When We Were Younger by The Careful Ones

This was a pretty late entry into this list…like I was working on this post and this video got posted by a good friend of mine that knows good music so I checked it out and I loved the song. Such a hauntingly beautiful sound that drew me in immediately. Apparently this is the first song from their new album that comes out later in 2014, so check back with me next year to see if they have another song that makes the list…but for now, just enjoy this lovely song.

So that’s about it for now. Sorry I haven’t been more bloggy in recent months but having twins is kind of a time/energy/free time drain. Don’t get me wrong, I love my boys and wouldn’t trade them for anything, but blogging hits low on the priority list right now…but hopefully things will level off in 2014. But thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed all the songs.

Hurricane by MRMS- appeals to my angst ridden teenage soul
The Walker by Fitz and the Tantrums- very catchy, bouncy song that gets stuck in my head constantly
Doses and Mimosas by Cherub- kind of an odd one but very catchy plus you cant go wrong with a falsetto dance/electronic song
Cruel Moon by Glasvegas- I love anything and everything Glasvegas but this one is the most depressing Christmas song EVER. LOVE IT! Very Scottish, lol…